Four Day Colorado Ski Trip - Affordable Travel and the Epic Pass

By the time March rolled around, we were feeling fried.  My business picked up, Adam was working a lot of overtime, and we had survived the childcare less month of February.  Plain and simple...we needed to get away.  We hadn't been on an airplane since before the pandemic and we were desperate to get away for any amount of time.  While a lot of our friends headed south for sunshine, we planned an entirely different getaway.  Our 2020 ski season was cut short due to the pandemic, and winter 2021... I was very very pregnant. And so, this was our first year back on skis. We bought the Epic Pass to make sure we got out there and used it and it worked.  We spent four days in Colorado, three days skiing in the most perfect warm and sunny spring skiing conditions. It was long enough to recharge but not too long away from our one year old.  It was the perfect amount of time to enjoy a ski weekend without going insanely overbudget on an expensive trip. We were so happy to come home to our baby and our dogs, and both agreed these were some of our best ski days yet. We returned home perfectly windburned and happily recharged. 

A year of Whitney - Celebrating in a Winter ONEderland

On February 24th, we celebrated Whitney's first birthday. It's wild to sit back and think that 365 days have passed since that moment I first saw Whitney. The past year has been filled with ups and downs and I can say with certainty that loving him has changed my life in an amazing way. My fears about motherhood slipped away as I stepped into the new role. I worked hard to ensure I "bounced back" to my physical and emotional self as quickly as I could. I made it my main mission to integrate Whitney into my life, not just change my life to always serve him. Having a child was not a death sentence to my identity, to my body, to my sleep schedule or the way I enjoy life. He enhances my life in a way that is hard to describe, adding another layer to my persona, not stripping some away.

His first birthday felt like such a celebration. You laugh at the "congratulations for keeping him alive for a year" texts but I started to take them to heart. I didn't want to throw a huge party but I wanted something thoughtful that brought my family together to celebrate a year with this darling little boy. As I spent hours making a balloon arch and assembling floating snowflakes to the ceiling, I kept telling myself "It's a party for us too". I put out the popcorn, ordered the pizza, and popped champagne to celebrate the sweetest year of Whitney. 

Layering 101 (Kid Edition)

If you read my earlier post about tips for getting kids (or anyone really) outside comfortable, you are probably sick of me shouting LAYERS LAYERS LAYERS across your screen. I know I'm being obnoxious about it but a layering system is essential to staying dry and comfortable outside, especially with the ever-changing weather here in New England. 

This topic felt so important and detailed that it deserved its own post (welcome!). When I plan to spend time in the outdoors with my family, I want to be prepared. I wanted to research the importance of each layer, different materials, different brands, and clothing items that fit the bill. This blog is a way to share all of that research with you, doing all the hard work so you don't have to. I learned a lot in this deep dive and today we are talking about merino wool, synthetic layers, the best water repellant shells, and more. These brands are tried and true and range from big names like Patagonia, companies from Nordic countries who know a thing or two about weather, and small family-run businesses here in the U.S. 

Winding Trails - XC Ski and Outdoor Activity Center in Farmington, CT

I love downhill skiing but it wasn't something I grew up doing. It wasn't until I was in my 20s that I put on my first pair of skis. I never touched the bunny slope but instead, a boyfriend convinced me to take the lift up and ski down the green trail where I nearly close lined myself skiing off the trail. Despite my disastrous start, something clicked. From there it was winter weekends in Vermont, two years in Salt Lake City, and then a few random ski trips to Wyoming, Colorado and Canada. I've skied some wonderful terrain and season passes like Epic and Ikon certainly make the sport a bit more affordable for someone who wants to spend their winters on skis. 

While season passes help, it's still an expensive hobby when you factor in lunch at the lodge, childcare, dog sitting, and likely lodging. Let's also consider just how busy and overcrowded some of our resorts are which leads to long lift lines and safety concerns. I love downhill skiing but I am also open to a more family and fido inclusive affordable way to enjoy the winter with a bit more solitude. 

Cue Cross Country Skiing. 

Cybex Libelle - Travel Stroller Review

If you told me three years ago I would own four different strollers/trailers, I would have laughed at you. It sounds ridiculous, right? Okay, hear me out. If you are active and on the go, you need at least a few different strollers for different reasons. Our UppaBaby Vista v2 is the perfect everyday stroller. It's clunky but there are so many features that make it the perfect everyday stroller (huge storage basket, adaptable for two seats, large sun canopy, great infant bassinet and adjustable toddler seat). For running, I needed a true jogging stroller, something with a single lockable front wheel, and something that is smoother and off-roads a bit better. We also have a bike trailer that converts to a two kiddo running stroller and ski sled and I take this out on a run sometimes when I want a covered shelter for him.